Uche Okechukwu, former Super Eagles captain and member of Enyimba International Board, has stated that the current Enyimba under the leadership of Kanu Papilo Nwankwo is in the right direction.
The Enyimba legend who also played for Flash Flamingoes, Iwuanyanwu Nat’l (now Heartland FC) in the “90’s before sojourning to Denmark and Turkey made this declaration while charting with Enyimba media in Uyo ahead of the team’s African Football League (AFL) quarterfinal first leg encounter against Wydad AC of Morocco on Sunday.
“Am delighted to be back especially to the team I once played for to give back in anyway I can.
“The management on board now is new and I have seen the team play even though there is still a lot to do but I think the team is on the right part.
“The AFL encounter on Sunday will be a tough one judging by the pedigree of the teams involved Wydad AC is CAF Champions League champion and Enyimba former Champions.
“Ordinarily I would have loved the team to go into the match after 5 or 6 games in the league but I think with the level of preparations I have seen the team undergo we have a good team to march them on Sunday. With the support we hope to get from the fans, the management and the Governor, the boys can deliver.
“What I think is more important to me is for us to retain the League or at least place second and grab a continental ticket as AFL is a one time while on the long run it should be the league as you can see there is still a lot to be done outside the pitch which a lot of people don’t see unlike inside the field which is just the game. Because the league is a long one, I think we will be ready to retain the League or place second.
“A lot of people have been comparing these management with the past one and personally it’s not my style because there are so many things you can do with winning trophies to develop a club. We should be able to have 2 to 3 players every season graduating from the youth team to the main team, that’s development and infrastructure.
“With all due respect to the past administration, they did well in winning laurels for the club but the team needs to be developed.
We need to have infrastructure, our own training ground, a team as big as Enyimba should have a separate training ground and not suffering the stadium. We should also be able to have the team camp outside the stadium and this is what this management is working on as well as building a team that also has products from the feeder team winning the league.
“You can buy the best legs because you have the money at a time what if the money isn’t there anymore so this management has a different idea of developing the club to have the ideal structure a club requires. And these management is headed in that right direction so it is wrong comparing them with the past management.
“I will advice the players to be prepared mentally, physically ahead of the time cause the date has been there and you must keep thinking on the strategy st by the coach and you have to want it more and do more than your opponent because the team that wants it must will always come out on top with dedication and hard work.
